BACKGROUNDBreast cancer is the most common cancer in Indian cities and the second most common cancer in the rural areas. More and more patients are being diagnosed with breast cancer in their thirties and forties. Early diagnosis is therefore very important for reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODSCurrently the triple test (Clinical examination, radiological imaging and FNAC) is used to accurately diagnose all palpable breast lumps. This study was undertaken to assess the sensitivity and specificity of mammography and fine needle aspiration cytology. A total of 172 cases which had a combination of clinical examination, fine needle aspiration cytology, mammography and histopathological examination were analysed. RESULTSBenign tumours were common in young women, with incidence peaking at 20-29 years of age. Majority of the malignant breast lesions were seen in the age group of 50-59 years. The mean age of breast cancer was 53.89 years. Breast lump was the most common presenting complaint in both benign and malignant breast lesions. Upper outer quadrant was the most common site of breast lump in both benign and malignant breast lesions. The most common benign lesion was fibroadenoma (58.5%). The most common malignant lesion was invasive carcinoma of no special type (82.3%). The sensitivity and specificity of FNAC were 97.02% and 98.57% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of mammography were 92.15% and 87.14% respectively. CONCLUSIONFine needle aspiration cytology is more sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of palpable breast lesions. Hence fine needle aspiration cytology alone may be sufficient for the accurate diagnosis of palpable breast lesions.

BACKGROUND Central Nervous system (CNS) tumours constitute only about 1-2% of all neoplasms, but they show a varied histopathological spectrum. A WHO grading scheme is followed in the reporting of these tumours which play a key role in deciding the choice of therapies. Immunohistochemical markers like Ki-67 and EGFR are found to have a significant role in predicting the behaviour of these tumours. Hence in tumours where proper grading becomes difficult, the usage of these markers will be extremely helpful. In this study, the histopathological pattern, grading and expression of Ki-67 and EGFR in CNS tumours, received during the stu dy period of 18 months, are described. Thereafter the relationship between the expression of these markers and the WHO grades is also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODSA descriptive study was conducted to describe the histopathological pattern and the expression of Ki-67 and EGFR in CNS tumours received in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Kottayam for a period of 18 months (June 2017 -November 2018). The relationship between the expression of these markers and the histological grades was also evaluated. Statistical analysis was done with available software. RESULTSAmong the 80 cases of CNS tumours studied, 48 cases (60%) were Meningiomas. Most of the cases had a Ki 67 value between 0-5 % (50 cases, 62.5%). It was found that in all types of CNS tumours studied, Ki-67 increased with increase in WHO grade. Among the glioma cases studied, 70.8% of them had an EGFR score of 3+ and among meningiomas, 62.5% had an EGFR Immunoreactive score (IRS) between 11 and 15. By statistical analysis, it was found that both WHO grade and EGFR expression in these tumours are associated. But in case of gliomas, increase in WHO grade improves our prediction for EGFR to be high (3+) and among meningiomas, increase in WHO grade improves our prediction for EGFR to be low (0-5). In case of remaining CNS tumours, majority of them showed EGFR negativity. CONCLUSIONIn our study, Meningiomas were the most common histological type. Ki-67 values in all types of CNS tumours increased with increase in WHO grades. All gliomas and meningiomas showed expression of EGFR. A significant association exists between WHO grades and EGFR expression of these tumours.